Turkey's Aid Agency to restore oldest mosque in Sarajevo

SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina (AA) - The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency has launched extensive restoration work on the oldest mosque in the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo.

The damaged Emperor's Mosque was built in the 15th century by Gazi Isakovic Isabey, who had been governor of the Ottoman province of Bosnia, and was exposed to many attacks throughout its history, the last one being during the 1992-1995 Bosnian War.

The Mosque Imam and Preacher Hafiz Sadru Iseric told Anadolu Agency: "This mosque is not only the most important historical structure in Sarajevo, but in all of Bosnia and Herzegovina."

"This mosque is under the protection of the state's cultural heritage. Every centimeter of it tells us something about our history and that is why I would like to thank TIKA and Turkey for this project."

Cihad Erginay, Turkey's Ambassador in Sarajevo, said the mosque was very important as it was the first in the city.

He said: "This restoration project emerges from our history, culture and sacred values. The restoration is extensive."

TIKA is undertaking renovation works on the heated mosque floor, electrical and ablution water supplies, sewage works and work on the exterior of the minaret, as well as landscaping.

- Important landmark

The Coordinator of TIKA Bosnia and Herzegovina, Fatih Karaca, said TIKA carries out many projects to help social, economic and cultural development, with common cultural and historical heritage being prioritized.

Karaca said: "Restoration is planned to be completed in March 2015."

"I think, this restoration is very important on behalf of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as Turkey."

The Emperor's Mosque is an important landmark in Sarajevo, being the first mosque to be built after the Ottoman conquest of Bosnia in 1457.

It was built by Isabey, who dedicated it to the Sultan, Mehmed the Conqueror, the conqueror of Istanbul.

The building is considered to be one of the most beautiful mosques of the Ottoman period in the Balkans and features a roomy interior with high quality decorative details, such as the mihrab.

Damaged and totally destroyed at the end of the 15th century, it was rebuilt in 1565 and dedicated this time to Suleyman the Magnificent, one of the most splendid and renowned Sultans of the Ottoman Empire, thereby gaining its recent name of the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Mosque.

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